14 Days Thailand Classic – Bangkok – Jungle Rafts – Cha Am

Tour Itinerary

Fixed departures subject to Confirmation

Day. 01 :Bangkok – Arrival (no meals)

Arrive Bangkok Transfer from Bangkok international airport to The Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok by private airconditioned car or minibus with English speaking guide and all baggage handlings. Accommodation at The Rembrandt Hotel (Superior room)

Day. 02 :Bangkok (B/L/D)

Breakfast at hotel 0730-1230 Thonburi Klong tour with Grand Palace and The Emerald Buddha :- Thonburi is the western part of Bangkok, situated on the right side of the Chao Phya River. Its many canals had originally given Bangkok the name “Venice of the East.” Passing by boat along the canals gives you a first hand impression of the scenic life along Bangkok’s waterways. Also visit the Royal Barges and the Temple of Dawn. The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. Lunch at local restaurant1330- 1700 City and Temples tour :- This tour includes three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 ½ tons of solid gold) – Wat Po, the most extensive temple in Bangkok, with its colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings – Wat Benjamaborpitr, the White Marble Temple, one of the finest examples of Thai architecture. Accommodation at The Rembrandt Hotel

Day. 2 – 3 :DAY RIVER KWAI JUNGLE RAFTS TOUR

Breakfast at hotel 06:00-07:00 Pick up passengers from major Bangkok hotels. 07:00 Depart from Bangkok by air-conditioned car/minibus or coach. 09:00 Arrive at Kanchanaburi. Visit War Museum, a realistic depiction of POW living quarters, with photographic, pictorial and physical memorabilia dating from World War II. Visit Allied War Cemetery, resting-place for more than 6,000 Allied prisoners of war (POWs). Visit world-famous BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI, a part of Death Railway constructed by Allied POWs. 12:00 Take a long-tailed boat from pier to get to the Jungle Rafts, passing by unspoiled mountainous jungle scenery. Check-in on arrival. Lunch at Jungle Rafts. 14:45 Visit to the nearby ethnic MON VILLAGE.

RECOMMENDED OPTION

ELEPHANT RIDE. Travel by elephant back into the jungle. Extra: Baht 1,000.- per hour (2 persons)19:00 Dinner, followed by Traditional Mon & Burmese dances (45-minute presentation of dance and songs with original Mon and Burmese musical instruments). Accommodations at FLOATEL RIVER KWAI JUNGLE RAFTS.

Day. 04 :River Kwai Jungle Rafts-Bangkok (B/L)Breakfast 08:00 Take an exciting boat ride downstream to Resotel Pier and continue to visit to the Hell Fire Pass Memorial. Then, return to the raft. 11:30 Check-out and depart by boat to Pakseng Pier for lunch. 13:00 Take a historic ride on “Death Railway” through magnificent scenery, passing over original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied POWs. 14:20 Continue by air-conditioned car/minibus or coach to Bangkok. 18:00 Arrive Bangkok with transfers to The Rembrandt Hotel Accommodation at The Rembrandt Hotel (Superior room)

Wednesday

Day. 05 : Bangkok—Ayuthaya—Lopburi—Pitsanuloke (L/D)

Breakfast at hotel 06:00 Pick up all passengers from The Rembrandt hotel 07:00 Depart from Bangkok to Ayuthaya, former capital of Thailand. The principal sights are the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpitr, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and Wat Pranangcherng. Continue via Saraburi to Phra Buddha Badh with its shrine of the holy footprint of Lord Buddha. Proceed to Lopburi for lunch. Visit the Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three-Spired Pagoda), the ruins of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat and the Monkey Temple. Proceed by bus to Pitsanuloke and check in at TOPLAND or similar hotel. Dinner and accommodations.

Breakfast 08:00 Visit Wat Maha Dhat with its revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Depart for Sukhothai, Visit the famous ruins of this first capital of Thailand (1257-1379). See Wat Maha Dhat, Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Sri Satchanalai, the northern outpost town of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng. Visit Wat Chang Lom, Wat Jedi Jet Thaew, Wat Nang Phya and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat standing on site of the Khmer fort “Chalieng.” Proceed to Lampang and check in at WIANG LAKOR or similar hotel. Dinner and accommodations.

Friday

Day. 07 :Lampang—Phayao—Chiang Rai (B/L/D)

Breakfast 08:00 Drive to Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang housing the only Emerald Buddha, besides the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. Depart for Phayao, a unique rural town and former princely state the former glory of which may be seen at Wat Sri Kom Kam. Proceed to Chiang Rai and lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Chiang Saen, former capital of the first Thai kingdom, situated directly on the Mekong River at the border between Thailand and Laos. Visit Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing 383 steps to top of hill, Wat Chedi Luang and the small museum nearby. Take a boat trip upriver on the Mekong to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town and on the border with Myanmar. Stroll through and shop at local market. Return to Chiang Rai and check in at WIANG INN or similar hotel. Dinner and accommodations.

Saturday

Day. 08 :Chiang Rai—Chiang Mai (B/L/D)Breakfast 08:00 Depart for Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hilltribe community center. This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in Hilltribe villages. Proceed to Chiang Mai and lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Handicraft Villages to observe manufacture of lacquerware, the spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and to watch how paper umbrellas are made. Check in at CHIANG MAI GRAND VIEW HOTEL. 19:15-22:15 Kantoke Dinner. Enjoy a typical Thai dinner with ancient dances from northern Thailand, followed by a performance of dances and songs by various hilltribes. Optional: Opportunity to visit the city’s night market in search of bargains.

Sunday Day. 09: Chiang Mai—Bangkok by Train (B/L/D)

Breakfast 08:00 Visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056 meters. The temple is reached using a NAGA railing rising along both sides. The monastery was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. The center is a big chedi (spiral pagoda), containing partial relics of Lord Buddha. Continue to visit the elephant camp to watch the elephants taking timber in the forest. Their strength and strategic teamwork will amaze you. Also visit the orchid farm and lunch at local restaurant. Return to Chiang Mai. Afternoon visit to a famous Thai wood carving factory with possibility of buying Burmese antiques. Transfer to Chiang Mai Railway Station. 16:40 Depart by second class airconditioned train with sleeping berth. Box dinner and overnight stay on train.

Cancellation Charges35 days prior to arrival a cancellation fee of US$200 per person will be applicable. 30 days notice of cancellation a fee of 25% of the total amount will be applicable. 25 days notice of cancellation a fee of 50% of the total amount will be applicable Less than 25 days notice incurs the full amount. Acceptance Payment non refundableIncluded in the tour prices are:

Accommodation in airconditioned room with bath and meals as mentioned in the programme

Accommodation at Jungle Rafts Floatel with shower (but no electricity)

Transfers, entrance fees, and tours by airconditioned car/minibus with English speaking guide

Boat trip

2nd class airconditioned sleeper berth trainticket Chiang Mai-Bangkok

Service charges, room tax, VAT and baggage handling

Not included in the tour prices are:

Optional tours

International Flights

Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.

Other tours & meals than mentioned in the programme

Remarks:

Minor program changes are sometimes necessary, depending on road conditions and room availability.